Pat Hillcoat

​Pat is a landscape painter living in Muskoka.  Very often you will see her out in the country side or on city streets painting in the open air.  Plein Air painting is a favourite pastime.
“ I am inspired by what I see around me every day sky, trees, barns, rocks and water. The play of colours, growth, movement and weather all guide my hand to paint what I see".

Pat studied art at “Studio 5316” in Montreal.    Her medium of choice is acrylic although she also paints with watercolour and alcohol inks.  “Generally I work quickly blocking in large shapes using transparent colour.  From there I add detail and highlights building layer upon layer using opaque paint to create light and shadow”.

Painting with Alcohol Inks is something I do for fun and relaxation.  I love how the inks run together and direct what the outcome will be.  My acrylic paintings rely on planning and execution.  With Alcohol Inks I plan with colour and let serendipity lead the way.  In both cases “My goal is to create an interpretive impression of reality”. 

​Pat has participated in juried shows in Muskoka, Montreal, Belleville, Toronto, Texas and Florida.  She enjoys teaching workshops and sharing her love of painting.

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Teaching art is very rewarding.   " I do my best to fit my style to the needs of my audience.  I hope they learn techniques that are useful, and I always learn something from my students". 
​Art should be fun!

People often ask me "How long have you been painting?"  I have no idea; as long as I can remember!  I started doing paint by numbers with my father, then... I wanted more.  I studied in high school , after which I majored in Commercial Art at Studio 5316.  But, finally I really started to paint using oils at the Gerry Van Dykof school of fine art in Montreal.  It was fun and inspiring.  
I am thankful for all the teachers who have helped me over the years.  Teaching is something I love to do and I think of it as my way of giving back.

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